Afghanistan

The Earl of Sandwich: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have assessed the non-military risks and benefits of the Afghan Social Outreach Program and its effect on rural development projects and local governance.

Lord Malloch-Brown: Risk management has been an important aspect of the development of the Afghan Social Outreach Program (ASOP), and a process which the UK has been involved in. Non-military risks and benefits have been identified, including the need to have close co-ordination with other government ministries to avoid overlaps. The community councils established under ASOP are designed to fill a hole in local governance left after the postponement of district council elections scheduled to take place in 2005. It is intended that community councils will cease to exist once democratically elected district councils are established in 2010. In insecure areas, ASOP forms a significant step toward improvements in local governance, by offering communities a means to present priorities and concerns to government. Rural development projects will not be adversely affected by ASOP councils, as these offer a single forum for prioritisation and co-ordination.

Afghanistan

Lord Dykes: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will consider the United Kingdom's military presence in Afghanistan in light of the number of service personnel killed there.

Lord Malloch-Brown: It is vital to the UK that Afghanistan once more becomes a stable and secure state, able to suppress violent extremism within its borders therefore contributing to wider regional security. Britain's own security is at risk if we allow Afghanistan to become a safe haven for terrorists.
	UK forces, along with 41 other contributing nations, are in Afghanistan at the invitation of the democratically elected Afghan Government, with the support of the vast majority of Afghans and at the request of the United Nations. The reason we are there is to establish the right security environment in which accountable and effective institutions can develop and where Afghan-led reconstruction and development can be established.
	Our Armed Forces in Afghanistan consistently perform their duties with bravery, commitment and professionalism. They have a difficult job to do and the progress they have made is a credit to their proficiency and dedication. However, that progress has come at a high cost, including loss of life. Every military casualty is a tragedy and our condolences go to the families of the men and women killed in Afghanistan. We have no illusions about the challenges posed by those who oppose central government rule. But we have the right strategy for delivering success, and members of our Armed Forces are resolute in doing what their country asks of them.

Afghanistan: Air Power

The Earl of Sandwich: To ask Her Majesty's Government what response they have made to the comments of the United Nations Special Representative in Afghanistan, Kai Eide, on 17 December regarding the revision of detentions and restrictions on the use of air power in populated areas.

Lord Malloch-Brown: The UK works constantly to improve co-operation between international forces, Afghan national security forces (ANSF) and the Government of Afghanistan. We do not agree that the formal arrangements need revision, but endorse fully the requirement to improve co-operation and co-ordination between the ANSF and international forces. In December 2008, Commander ISAF, General David McKiernan, issued a new tactical directive on respect for Afghan culture, specifically house searches, during military operations. This directive has been widely welcomed by the international community and represents a further significant step by ISAF in its efforts to minimise the impact of its operations on ordinary Afghans.

Agriculture: Incineration

Lord Taylor of Holbeach: To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Answer by the Minister for Farming and the Environment, Jane Kennedy, on 24 November 2008 (Official Report, House of Commons, cols. 847—48W), whether local authorities determining applications for smaller incineration projects use the same methodology as the Environment Agency; and, if not, whether all local authorities use the same alternative method.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: Local authorities regulate few incinerators. When individual authorities do so, they have discretion in the way they determine applications, provided they comply with all the legislative requirements and have regard to any relevant statutory guidance.
	Statutory guidance to local authorities on handling applications for all installations they regulate under the Environmental Permitting Regulations is contained in the General Guidance Manual on Policy and Procedures for A2 and B Installations, published on Defra's website.
	Local authorities regulating animal carcase incinerators under the same integrated pollution prevention and control regime enforced by the Environment Agency must also have regard to Defra guidance note SG10, Animal Carcase Incineration with Capacity of Less Than 1 Tonne Per Hour, which specifies pollution control standards. Other smaller incinerators are regulated by local authorities only to control air emissions, and separate guidance on standards is also published for these.

Armed Forces: Aircraft

Lord Lee of Trafford: To ask Her Majesty's Government when the first Hawk 128 will be delivered to the Royal Air Force; how many are expected to be delivered in 2009 and each year thereafter; and what the official in-service date is expected to be.

Baroness Taylor of Bolton: The acceptance process for the Hawk T2 (128) has recently commenced and delivery of the first aircraft is expected shortly.
	The current estimate, based on BAE Systems' production plan, is that 22 aircraft will be delivered in 2009 and six in 2010.
	The in-service date of the aircraft is November 2009.

Armed Forces: HMS "Endurance"

Lord Astor of Hever: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the present status of HMS "Endurance"; and whether the circumstances that led recently to the flooding of her engine room while under way have been resolved.

Baroness Taylor of Bolton: HMS "Endurance" is safe and stable and is currently berthed at Mare Harbour in the Falkland Islands. The investigations into the circumstances that led to the flooding incident are continuing.

Azerbaijan: Broadcasting

Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they are making to the Government of Azerbaijan about the proposed discontinuance of local transmission of BBC broadcasts, Radio Free Europe, Radio Liberty and the Voice of America; and whether such action would constitute a breach of Azerbaijan's international obligations.

Lord Malloch-Brown: Our ambassador to Azerbaijan has made clear to the Government of Azerbaijan on several occasions that we share the serious concern of the EU at the Azeri authorities' decision not to renew the licences of foreign broadcasters to transmit on national FM radio frequencies from 1 January 2009 and the detrimental impact this decision has on access to independent information throughout Azerbaijan.
	We have also raised this issue with EU partners in Brussels and the Czech Government as current EU presidency. Representations have been made to the Government of Azerbaijan by the presidency and the External Relations Commissioner during their recent visits. The Azeri decision has also been criticised by the EU's High Representative for Common Foreign and Security Policy, the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe, the Council of Europe and many others.
	The ban is inconsistent with Azerbaijan's existing EU eastern neighbourhood policy commitments and with the principles of the future, deeper eastern partnership which the Azeri Government have strongly welcomed.
	We continue to monitor the situation and to urge the Government of Azerbaijan to reconsider the decision and permit broadcasting by non-Azeri broadcasters on FM frequencies.

Bailiffs

Lord Lucas: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they have taken to ensure that magistrates, Her Majesty's Courts Service fines officers and bailiff companies are implementing page 9 of the National Standards for Enforcement Agents covering vulnerable situations.

Lord Bach: The National Standards for Enforcement Agents are intended for use by enforcement agents rather than magistrates or Her Majesty's Courts Service fines officers. However, both magistrates and Her Majesty's Courts Service fines officers routinely consider the circumstances of defendants and defaulters as part of their decision-making process. Where issues of vulnerability are made known to them, these will be taken into account.
	Her Majesty's Court Service contracts place a specific obligation on its private enforcement agents in respect of vulnerable members of society. This requires them to adhere to and implement these standards while engaged on enforcement activities on behalf of Her Majesty's Courts Service. They are instructed not to take any action to levy distress without prior reference to the court where the individual falls into one of categories deemed as vulnerable. Complaints by members of the public about the conduct of the contractor must be reported to Her Majesty's Courts Service regional contract managers together with details of how those complaints have been dealt with and resolved. These are reviewed as part of the contract management process.
	The contract requires AEAs to provide a monthly management report to HMCS regional contractor managers on contractor performance. The report provides details on the execution rate of warrants, training undertaken by contractor staff and any complaints received by the contractor on action taken by their staff. Contractors must report any circumstances and situations where a complaint or issue is raised by defaulters who consider the enforcement of the warrant has been undertaken inappropriately or incorrectly. These will include any situations involving those in the vulnerable person categories. Any complaints or correspondence received by contractors must be investigated. In addition, Her Majesty's Court Service regional management will investigate the complaint to determine that the bailiff took the correct action or if the situation requires further investigation.
	Further reporting protocols in new proposed contracts will strengthen the control and monitoring arrangements available to HMCS on contractor performance. This includes quarterly and six-month assurance reporting. There is also a requirement for each contractor to make an annual operation report reviewing their management of the contract. Combined, these reports form the basis for the HMCS director of enforcement to make an annual report covering the operation of all regional contracts.
	The reports received as the six-month and yearly stages of the contract would be reviewed and reported on to the HMCS compliance and enforcement and main HMCS management boards as part of this report. It is expected that the contractor will detail its procedures and processes and the agreed authorisation methods with each HMCS region and area within these reporting requirements.

Bailiffs

Lord Lucas: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they intend to proceed with regulations under the Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007 allowing bailiffs to use force against persons.

Lord Bach: The enforcement provisions in the Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007 are far reaching reforms. The provisions have recently undergone a comprehensive reassessment by Ministers to ensure that they remain appropriate even under this difficult financial climate. This assessment has now been concluded and a statement will be made shortly.

Bees

Lord Taylor of Holbeach: To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Answer by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath on 26 November (WA 295), whether they will review the amount of funding for bee research in the light of the average incomes for commercial and non-commercial beekeepers.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: Defra has allocated new resources for the bee health programme to fund the implementation of the bee health strategy. On top of its current £1.3 million, an additional £1.137 million will be provided to the National Bee Unit in the financial year 2009-10 and £1.158 million in 2010-11 to implement the first stage of the strategy.
	Additional funds are also being provided for research, with £400,000 added to the existing £200,000 provision for each of the next five years. £500,000 of this will be made available to a new research programme which will consider the widest problems facing pollinators. The details of the programme are still being worked on and further information will be available in the near future.

Benefits

Lord Steinberg: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the number of people receiving benefits has increased in the past five years; and, if so, by what percentage.

Lord McKenzie of Luton: The latest available information is that the number of working age and pension age benefit claimants has increased by 2.89 per cent over the five years to May 2008. Within this total, the number of working age claimants went down by 5.81 per cent, the number of pension age claimants increased by 7.03 per cent.

Charities: Fraud

Lord Morris of Manchester: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many cases involving allegations of fraud in charities have been investigated by the Charity Commission in each of the past three years; and how long was taken to complete the investigation in each case.

Lord Patel of Bradford: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Charity Commission. I have asked the commission to reply.

Child Protection

Lord Roberts of Llandudno: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will issue guidance on the vetting and barring scheme to be introduced in October 2009.

Lord West of Spithead: Guidance for the vetting and barring scheme will be issued in advance of introduction of the scheme. In addition to general guidance on different elements of the scheme, the Government also intend to issue guidance tailored for specific sectors of the children's and vulnerable adults' workforce.
	Sectors will include education, health, social care, volunteering, housing and transport.

Common Travel Area

Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with Ministers in Northern Ireland regarding the reform of the common travel area.

Lord West of Spithead: The UK Government have been working in partnership with the Governments of Ireland and the Crown Dependencies, as well as the Northern Ireland Office and Northern Ireland Executive, to review the rules and operation of the common travel area (CTA) and explore how border security can be strengthened in the future.
	A public consultation was carried out between 24 July and 16 October on proposals to strengthen and reform the CTA and the government response to this consultation and a full impact assessment were published on 15 January.

Crime: Domestic Violence

Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many local authorities regularly hold multiagency risk assessment conferences to identify victims of domestic violence; and how often.

Lord West of Spithead: We understand from CAADA (Co-ordinated Action Against Domestic Abuse) that there are over 100 multiagency risk assessment conferences (MARACs) across England and Wales. Some MARACs overlap more than one local authority area. MARACs are either held fortnightly or monthly, depending on the volume of cases.

Criminal Records Bureau

Lord Hanningfield: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the costs to local authorities of undertaking checks with the Criminal Records Bureau since the bureau's inception.

Lord West of Spithead: I am unable to provide the information requested. The Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) would need to perform a manual trawl, at disproportionate cost, of each individual local authority registered with the bureau in order to access the financial implications of undertaking CRB checks.
	The CRB charges £31.00 for a standard disclosure and £36.00 for an enhanced disclosure. The bureau continues to process disclosure applications for volunteers free of charge.

Department for Transport: Staffing

Lord Bradshaw: To ask Her Majesty's Government what are the anticipated employment costs, indicating all emoluments, of the franchise managers, finance managers and contract managers in the Department for Transport advertised in the Times on 16 January.

Lord Adonis: Salaries for these posts are within the set pay bands. They will attract the usual pension and other allowances which form part of the department's remuneration package, as follows:
	
		
			 Posts (all London based) Number of posts Pay Band Salary (PB) 
			 Contract Manager 3 PB4 £30287 to £34712 
			 Contract Manager 1 PB5 £36,080 to £42,240 
			 Franchise Manager 3 PB6 £46,446 to £56,400 
			 Franchise Manager 2 PB7 £57,232 to £69,497 
			 Assistant Finance Manager 1 PB5 £36,080 to £42,240 plus £1,250 for part accountancy qualification 
			 Long-term Forecasting Manager 1 PB5 £36,080 to £ 42,240 plus £5,000 for accountancy qualification

Department for Transport: Staffing

Lord Bradshaw: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether compensating savings are planned in the staffing costs of the Department for Transport as a result of filling the posts advertised in the Times on 16 January for franchise managers, finance managers and contract managers.

Lord Adonis: These posts are currently filled by contractors, so there will be compensating savings by filling these posts with permanent staff.

Energy: Reserves

Lord Stoddart of Swindon: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether there are proposals for the "mutualisation" of energy reserves in the European Union; and, if so, what is their position on such proposals.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: There are no proposals for the "mutualisation" of energy reserves in the European Union. The UK and other EU member states retain the right to determine the conditions for exploiting their energy resources, their choice between different energy sources and the general structure of their energy supply.

Fishing: Vessels

Earl Attlee: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many small fishing vessels received an unannounced inspection in the past 12 months for which figures are available; and what percentage resulted in the vessel being detained.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: No notice is given of any inspections carried out by coastal enforcement officers of the Marine and Fisheries Agency (MFA) staff in England and the fisheries staff of the Welsh Assembly Government. Vessels inspected at sea will usually receive notice of approximately five minutes in order to ensure safe embarkation of officers. UK fishing vessels are not normally detained to port except in special circumstances. Full details of MFA inspection procedures can be found on the MFA website at www.mfa.gov.uk/protection/conduct.htm.
	In the calendar year 2008, coastal fisheries staff in England and Wales carried out 1,141 inspections on land of vessels under 10 metres in length, resulting in the detection of 10 infringements. Similarly, in 2008 there were 78 inspections of vessels under 10 metres in length carried out at sea within English and Welsh waters, resulting in the detection of six infringements. No vessels were detained.

Gaza

Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they are making to Israel about the alleged use of white phosphorus shells in Gaza.

Lord Malloch-Brown: We are very concerned about reports of white phosphorus ammunition being used by the Israeli Defence Force in Gaza. We have made this clear directly to both the Foreign Ministry and Defence Ministry in Tel Aviv.
	Gaza is an exceptionally densely populated area where white phosphorus used as an air burst is liable to cause particularly horrific injuries to non-combatants. We consider such use in these circumstances unacceptable.

Gaza

Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether compensation will be payable by Israel for damage to United Nations Relief and Works Agency schools in Gaza.

Lord Malloch-Brown: We have made clear our concern at attacks on UN sites and the mounting civilian casualties. Any claim for compensation would be a matter for the individuals concerned (or their relatives), the UN and Israel.

Gaza

Baroness Uddin: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many children have been killed in (a) the Gaza Strip; and (b) Israel as a result of the current conflict between the two territories.

Lord Malloch-Brown: According to the Palestinian Ministry of Health (on 21 January 2009) 412 children have been killed in the course of the current conflict in Gaza.
	No Israeli children have been killed in the conflict.

Gaza

Baroness Uddin: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many of the women and children seriously injured as a result of the current conflict involving Israel and the Gaza Strip have received appropriate medical care in the Gaza Strip.

Lord Malloch-Brown: The UN reports that hospital and intensive care facilities remain overwhelmed. But because of the situation in Gaza we do not have accurate figures.
	We are strongly supporting international efforts to alleviate the humanitarian situation in Gaza, including by providing funding of £26.8 million.

Gaza

Baroness Uddin: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many women and children from the Gaza Strip have been transferred to Egyptian hospitals as a result of the current conflict involving Israel and the Gaza Strip.

Lord Malloch-Brown: The department does not hold such figures.

Gaza

Lord Dykes: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to secure Israeli compliance with United Nations Security Council resolutions.

Lord Malloch-Brown: The ceasefire now in effect in Gaza is a critical part of UN Security Council Resolution 1860. We are now working closely with our partners, including Israel, to ensure that it becomes the durable and fully respected ceasefire called for in 1860. We are also continuing our efforts to support the peace process and realise the goal of a two-state solution.

Gaza

Lord Dykes: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will recall the British Ambassador to Israel until the Israeli Defence Force has fully withdrawn from Gaza.

Lord Malloch-Brown: The Government do not believe that such a move would help advance our objective of an immediate and sustainable ceasefire.

Gaza

Lord Dykes: To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they received from the Government of the United States about their decision not to vote in favour of the latest United Nations Security Council Resolution on Gaza.

Lord Malloch-Brown: US Secretary of State Rice made the position of the United States clear publicly in the UN Security Council. Our discussions with the US in the wake of UN Security Council Resolution 1860 have focused on achieving the immediate, durable and fully respected ceasefire envisaged in the resolution.

Gaza

Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of reports in the New York Times about military fragments collected in Gaza which contained white phosphorous and were fired over civilian neighbourhoods.

Lord Malloch-Brown: We are very concerned about reports of white phosphorus ammunition being used by the Israeli Defence Force in Gaza. We have made this clear directly to both the Foreign Ministry and Defence Ministry in Tel Aviv.
	My honourable friend the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bill Rammell, has also made clear to the other place that Gaza is an exceptionally densely populated area where white phosphorus used as an air burst is liable to cause particularly horrific injuries to non-combatants. We consider such use in these circumstances unacceptable.

Gaza

Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of whether Hamas were willing to extend the six-month ceasefire when it expired in December 2008.

Lord Malloch-Brown: Hamas made clear through increasing rocket fire on Israel and through its public comments that it would not renew the ceasefire.

Gaza

Lord Dykes: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of whether the force being used in Gaza by the Israel Defence Forces is proportionate; and what discussions they have had with the Government of Israel about whether that use is proportionate.

Lord Malloch-Brown: The EU presidency issued a statement on 27 December 2008 clearly spelt out that the Israeli Defence Force military response was disproportionate. We supported that statement then and will continue to support it. We have consistently urged Israel to avoid civilian casualties.

Gaza

Lord Dykes: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will discuss with the Government of Israel the alleged misuse of white phosphorus shells by the Israel Defence Forces in Gaza.

Lord Malloch-Brown: We are very concerned about reports of white phosphorus ammunition being used by the Israeli Defence Force in Gaza. Gaza is an exceptionally densely populated area where white phosphorus used as an air burst is liable to cause particularly horrific injuries to non-combatants. We consider such use in these circumstances unacceptable.

Gaza

Lord Dykes: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many children and women were (a) killed, and (b) wounded by Israeli weapons in Gaza since 27 December 2008; and how many of those injured are still in hospital.

Lord Malloch-Brown: According to the Palestinian Ministry of Health (on 21 January) 412 children and 110 women were killed during the conflict and 1,855 children and 795 women were injured.
	We do not have figures for how many received medical attention or remain in hospital.

Health: Diabetes

Lord Harrison: To ask Her Majesty's Government why the register of those with diabetes mellitus prepared under the quality and outcomes framework lists only those 17 years old and over; and whether they will alter the register to include all those with diabetes mellitus.

Lord Darzi of Denham: The quality and outcomes framework (QOF) records the number of people recorded on general practice diabetes registers in England. The register excludes those patients aged 16 and under because the care of children with diabetes is generally under the control of specialists.
	The department has asked the National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence to oversee a new independent and transparent process for developing and reviewing QOF clinical and health improvement indicators for England from 1 April 2009 as part of their role in providing guidance for the National Health Service based on evidence of clinical effectiveness and cost effectiveness. We launched a public consultation on the proposed new process on 30 October 2008. The consultation ends on 2 February. Subject to the outcome of that consultation, any proposal for changes to QOF indicators would need to be considered under that new process.

House of Lords: Annual Report

Lord Stoddart of Swindon: To ask the Chairman of Committees further to the House of Lords annual report 2007—08, whether in future he will publish the cost of maintaining the heritage and integrity of the House's buildings and collections separately from the House's other costs.

Lord Brabazon of Tara: The cost of maintaining the heritage and integrity of the House's buildings and collections is individually itemised on page 26 of the annual report 2007-08, but it is included when calculating the overall expenditure of the House because it relates to one of the administration's core tasks, as approved by the House Committee. For clarity, I have also arranged for this cost to be listed separately from all other costs in the next edition of The Work of the House of Lords.

Housing Benefit

Baroness Thomas of Winchester: To ask Her Majesty's Government when they plan to publish the housing benefit review.

Lord McKenzie of Luton: The Government intend to publish a housing benefit reform consultation document in the first half of 2009. This will begin a formal period of external consultation on potential reforms to the housing benefit system, as announced in the welfare reform White Paper, Raising expectations and increasing support: reforming welfare for the future. The timing of this consultation has not been finalised.

Human Rights

Lord Harries of Pentregarth: To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they are making about the violation of human rights in West Papua, and in particular the arrests of Buchtar Tabuni and Sebby Sambon for supporting the recent launch of the International Parliamentarians for West Papua.

Lord Malloch-Brown: We have made no representations on the specific cases of Buchtar Tabuni and Sebby Sambom. We are aware that they are currently being detained by police in Jayapura, Papua. We are not aware of any allegations that their human rights have been abused. Our embassy in Jakarta also understands that they are receiving legal advice as well as visitors. We will continue to monitor the situation.
	We regularly raise human rights concerns with the Indonesian authorities and staff from our embassy in Jakarta visit Papua on a regular basis and raise issues of concern with a wide cross-section of interlocutors. The most recent visit was 13 to 16 January 2009.

Human Rights

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether, in deciding how to abide by the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights in Hirst v United Kingdom, they will have regard to (a) the reasoning in the judgment of 8 December 2008 of Judge Andrew Cheung in the Court of First Instance of Hong Kong in Chan Kin Sum deciding that a blanket ban on prisoners' voting is unconstitutional; and (b) the Government of Hong Kong's response.

Lord Bach: As with previous legal challenges in other jurisdictions on the issue of prisoners' voting rights, Her Majesty's Government are studying (a) the reasoning behind this judgment and (b) the response by the Government of Hong Kong carefully. The Government must arrive at a solution that is best for the UK, and, to that end, remains committed to carrying out a second public consultation.

Human Rights

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Answer by Lord Bach on 15 January (WA 168—74), whether they will be able to ratify the Fourth Protocol to the European Convention on Human Rights with appropriate reservations to meet their concerns in relation to passports and the right of abode.
	To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Answer by Lord Bach on 15 January (WA 168—74), which provision in Article 2 of the Fourth Protocol to the European Convention on Human Rights confers rights in relation to passports and a right of abode on British nationals who do not currently have that right.
	To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Answer by Lord Bach on 15 January (WA 168—74), whether their concerns about Articles 2 and 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights are based on rulings of the European Court of Human Rights; and, if not, what they are based on.

Lord Bach: The Government have no plans at this time to seek to ratify the Fourth Protocol with reservations. The Government's concerns with Article 2 relate to the particular nature of British nationality and immigration arrangements which permit a person to be lawfully within United Kingdom territory without necessarily permitting them to be lawfully within all parts of United Kingdom territory. This may particularly conflict with the provision under Article 2(1) that "Everyone lawfully within the territory of a State shall, within that territory, have the right to liberty of movement and freedom to choose his residence". This assessment has been made by the Government on the basis of the advice of officials and lawyers; there would obviously be no substantive assessment of the compatibility of British law and policy with these obligations by the European Court of Human Rights or our domestic courts unless and until the obligations were accepted by the United Kingdom.

Independent Safeguarding Authority

Lord Roberts of Llandudno: To ask Her Majesty's Government what will be the remit of the Independent Safeguarding Authority.

Lord West of Spithead: The Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) was established under the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006. It is referred to in the Act as the "Independent Barring Board". The ISA will work with the Criminal Records Bureau to deliver the new vetting and barring scheme. Specifically, the ISA will be responsible for establishing and maintaining the children's barred list and the vulnerable adults' barred list.

Interception of Communications

Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer: To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Answer by Lord West of Spithead on 28 February (WA 136), why they do not know how many interception warrants were refused when the Answer said that all the issues on applications are weighed personally by the Secretary of State.

Lord West of Spithead: The number of occasions on which the Secretary of State has refused to sign a warrant is not recorded centrally. Moreover, RIPA places an obligation to keep secret all matters relating an interception warrant, the warrant application, issue and execution of it. Accordingly, it has been the policy of successive Governments neither to confirm nor deny in response to specific questions about whether a warrant has been sought or issued.
	The only figures that are made public are those published in the Interception of Communications Commissioner's annual report. This makes it clear that "outright and final refusal of a warrant by the Secretary of State is comparatively rare, because the requesting agencies and the senior officials within the Secretary of State's department scrutinise the applications with care before they are submitted for approval".

International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Answer by Lord Bach on 12 January (WA 111—12), what is the nature of the evidence they wish to obtain from the United Kingdom's experience of accepting the right of individual petition under the United Nations Convention for the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women; and what is its relevance to the decision as to whether to accept the right of individual petition under the United Nations International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
	To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the advantages and disadvantages to individuals in the United Kingdom resulting from accepting the right of individual petition under the United Nations International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
	To ask Her Majesty's Government whether there are domestic remedies for breaches of the general right to equality without discrimination protected by article 26 of the United Nations International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights in areas beyond the scope of article 14 of the European Convention on Human Rights.

Lord Bach: Given that only two applications, both found inadmissible, have been made during the period of nearly four years since the United Kingdom accepted the right of individual petition under the Optional Protocol to the Convention for the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, the Government wish to see which further applications are made under this Optional Protocol, how they are handled by the relevant committee at the United Nations, and whether their outcome demonstrates substantive benefit to people in the United Kingdom from individual petition. This will assist the Government in assessing the advantages and disadvantages of other individual petition mechanisms.
	As the noble Lord is aware, the structure of discrimination law in the United Kingdom developed separately from the broad principle of equality founded on human rights. However, our discrimination law specifically prohibits unjustified discrimination in the performance of public functions and the provision of goods, facilities and services, and the principle that like cases should be treated alike is also recognised by our courts in the context of judicial review of administrative action. Combined with the prohibition on discrimination in the protection of the convention rights, most of which are civil and political rights, under the Human Rights Act, there are a broad range of means by which individuals may challenge discriminatory treatment in this country.

International Whaling Commission

Lord Ashcroft: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will place in the Library of the House the document or documents specifying the five options presented for consideration to the United Kingdom and other member nations of the International Whaling Commission at the Future of the International Whaling Commission meeting in Cambridge in December 2008.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The paper referred to is confidential. It is subject to revision and a sub-group (on which the UK is not represented) will meet later this month in Hawaii to finalise it. It will then be distributed to commissioners and contracting Governments in early February. It will be discussed at an intersessional meeting of the International Whaling Commission (IWC) in March, and then revised and reissued as the basis for discussion of the future of the IWC at the IWC's annual meeting in June. If the paper enters into the public domain, I will place it in the Library of the House.

Internet: Service Providers

Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether persons working for internet service providers are prohibited from giving information as to the persons sending datagrams, recipients of them, and the contents of such datagrams; and whether any person disclosing any such information would be liable to dismissal or prosecution.

Lord Carter of Barnes: This department would expect internet service providers and any other company to ensure that their operations conform to the relevant laws on data and access to data. Disciplinary measures are a matter for the organisations concerned. We do not monitor the terms of employment in the internet service sector.

Iran: Discrimination

Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government what were the most recent replies they received from the Government of Iran concerning persecution of and discrimination against Sunni Muslim, Bahai and Christian minorities in Iran; and whether they will continue to raise these matters bi-laterally and multi-laterally.

Lord Malloch-Brown: We remain deeply concerned by the treatment of Bahai, Christian and other religious minorities in Iran, and we are fully committed to raising the issue both bilaterally and through the EU and UN.
	Regrettably, the Iranian Government are increasingly reluctant even to hear our representations, and deny that there is any basis for concerns about the treatment of religious minorities.

Iraq

Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government (a) what action they are taking to prevent attacks on ethnic and religious minorities in Iraq; (b) what representations they are making to the Government of Iraq about providing restitution for land and goods illegally seized this year around Mosul; (c) whether displaced people have been helped to return home; and (d) if so, how many.

Lord Malloch-Brown: The UK continues to press the Government of Iraq at official and ministerial level to protect minority communities, and to take tough action against those responsible for violence and intimidation.
	We have received no specific reports of land and goods having been illegally seized this year around Mosul, though we utterly condemn the violence and intimidation that minority communities in Mosul have been subjected to. We are aware of long-standing disputes over land and properties, dating primarily back to the early 1990s. My honourable friend the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs (Bill Rammell) hopes to discuss these issues with ministerial interlocutors from the Government of Iraq and the Kurdistan Regional Government at the next appropriate opportunity.
	We welcome reports from UN High Commissioner for Refugees that due to the efforts of the Iraqi Security Forces many families—up to one-third of those displaced in some districts—have returned to their homes in Mosul, though we are unable to provide any independent assessment of the numbers involved. The Iraqi Government have pledged grants of $851 per family to support those families as they return.

Israel and Palestine

Lord Steinberg: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to contribute to a peaceful settlement between Israel and Palestine.

Lord Malloch-Brown: Achieving a peace settlement in the Middle East is one of our top priorities. We are in constant contact with all the key players to secure an immediate and durable ceasefire in the current conflict. We also continue to pursue our efforts to achieve a wider comprehensive peace in the region through diplomacy and practical support to the Palestinian Authority.

Israel and Palestine: Quartet

Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government what action they and the Quartet will take concerning the proposed demolition of 88 dwellings, housing some 1,500 residents, in the Al-Bustan neighbourhood of East Jerusalem.

Lord Malloch-Brown: We have made it clear to Israel, with very few exceptions, that house demolitions in occupied territory are in direct contravention of article 53 of the Fourth Geneva Convention. We will continue lobbying the Israeli Government for an immediate halt to demolitions.

Israel and Palestine: Tax

Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether Israel has paid to the Palestinian Authority the tax revenues for 2000—02 which were withheld because of the intifada; and, if not, what action the quartet will take.

Lord Malloch-Brown: According to the International Monetary Fund all previously withheld clearance revenue has been released to the Palestinian Authority.

Israel and Palestine: Weapons

Lord Dykes: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will consider a full embargo on weapons sales to Israel.

Lord Malloch-Brown: We already routinely refuse export licenses where we believe there is a clear risk that they will be used for external aggression or internal repression. As with all conflicts, we will take into account the recent conflict and the conduct and methods of the Israeli Defence Force in that conflict in the assessment of future export licences.

Middle East Peace Process

Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the statements by Mr Robert Serry, United Nations Special Co-ordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, made on 2 and 4 December; and whether the United Nations and its agencies will take any action following the statements.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Malloch-Brown: We welcome the work of Robert Serry and the whole UN system in seeking both to alleviate human suffering and bring peace in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
	The adoption of UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1850 on 16 December 2008 restated the UN's commitment to progress on all tracks of the peace process in 2009. This was repeated in UNSCR 1860 on 8 January 2009, which also called for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza.
	We are confident that the UN will continue to pursue these goals, and it will have the UK's support in doing so.

National Security Forum

Baroness Neville-Jones: To ask Her Majesty's Government when they intend to set up the National Security Forum as a non-departmental public body; and what its budget will be.
	To ask Her Majesty's Government who chairs the interim National Security Forum; and who are its members.
	To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the work programme of the interim National Security Forum; and whether they have received advice from it.

Lord Patel of Bradford: The Prime Minister is considering who to appoint to the membership of the Interim National Security Forum. Invitations have been issued to a number of candidates but the final membership of the forum is yet to be determined. The forum has not yet met and so no advice has been received from it. Costs relating to the forum will be met from within Cabinet Office departmental spending. The Prime Minister will announce the membership of the forum and the date of its first meeting in due course.

Northern Ireland Office: Bonuses

Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Answer by the Lord President (Baroness Royall of Blaisdon) on 18 December 2008 (WA 71) concerning bonus payments to staff of the Northern Ireland Office in the next financial year, what element of the current pay settlements take the form of bonuses; and whether that system was agreed with the appropriate trade unions.

Baroness Royall of Blaisdon: Bonuses in the Northern Ireland Office are paid for from budgets arising from successive spending review settlements. The non- consolidated performance element of pay is 0.54 per cent of the pay bill for staff at grades D2 to A and 8.6 per cent of the pay bill for the senior Civil Service.
	Special bonuses, which are also non-consolidated, and for which staff at grades D2 to A are eligible, cost 0.4 per cent of the pay bill.
	Relevant trade unions were consulted about the various schemes.

Northern Ireland Office: Overtime

Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether overtime payments are made to officials in the Northern Ireland Office; and, if so, how much was paid in each of the past five financial years.

Baroness Royall of Blaisdon: Overtime payments are made to Northern Ireland Office officials in accordance with the department's terms and conditions of employment.
	The following table shows the department's (excluding agencies and Executive NDPBs) overtime expenditure for the past five financial years:
	
		
			 Financial Year Overtime Expenditure (£ 000s) 
			 2007-08 961 
			 2006-07 935 
			 2005-06 994 
			 2004-05 1,070 
			 2003-04 872

Olympic Games 2012: Football

Lord Faulkner of Worcester: To ask Her Majesty's Government to what extent the stadia chosen to host football events at the 2012 Olympics comply with the Accessible Stadia Guidance.

Lord Davies of Oldham: The London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) is currently recruiting an expert in accessible spectator facilities, who will support the design teams when developing the overlay requirements for each football venue. In co-operation with the venue operator, LOCOG will ensure compliance with the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 and related codes of practice, including Accessible Stadia Guidance, European and British Standards.

Police: Shootings

Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether there is or has been a shoot-to-kill policy by police in (a) Northern Ireland, and (b) London; and, if so, in what circumstances.

Lord West of Spithead: Operations involving firearms are intended to bring an end to an imminent threat to life or of serious injury. Under Section 3 of the Criminal Law Act 1967, the use of force for the prevention of crime and apprehension of offenders and those unlawfully at large must be reasonable in all the circumstances. The use of lethal force by police officers is subject to the same requirements as for any other use of force. Once authorised to use firearms, it is for the individual officer to ensure they act within the law.
	The use of firearms by police officers is closely governed by Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) guidelines.

Recycling

Lord Greaves: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assistance they will provide to local authorities to assist them to dispose of recyclates in the present market conditions.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The Government have taken a number of actions to assist local authorities with recycling in the present market conditions.
	Defra has stepped up monitoring and intelligence-gathering on recycling and reprocessing markets, working with the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP), the Local Government Association (LGA), the Environment Agency and others.
	The WRAP has increased the frequency of its materials pricing report to fortnightly to provide up-to-date price information and market intelligence as quickly as possible and, with LGA support, has set up an online Market Conditions Forum for local authorities to deal with any questions that are raised about current market conditions.
	The WRAP and the National Industrial Symbiosis Programme are working together to try to find alternative markets for recyclable materials. The Government have also asked UK Trade & Investment for help in identifying possible alternative markets overseas.
	The Government have worked closely with the Environment Agency, which has taken a pragmatic approach to the rules on storage of recyclable wastes to assist local authorities and waste management companies.

Recycling

Lord Greaves: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the estimated loss to local authorities in the current financial year and the next financial year due to the decline in the market for materials collected for recycling; and whether they will adjust their grants to local authorities to take account of that.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The extent of income losses to local authorities from the fall in the value of recyclable materials depends on the nature of local authorities' contracts with waste management companies. These vary from one authority to another. Some are contractually entitled to a share of the income from the recyclates. Others have fixed-price contracts which shelter them from market volatility.
	Given this great diversity in circumstances, no overall estimate has been made.
	The Government have no plans to adjust the grants to local authorities. Following consultation with local authorities on the provisional local government finance settlement for 2009-10, on Wednesday 21 January the Government confirmed their plans for the funding of local authority revenue spending through formula grant, now subject to parliamentary approval. Overall government grants to local authorities in 2009-10 will be £73.1 billion, which provides an increase of 4.2 per cent over 2008-09 on a like-for-like basis.

Sri Lanka

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will make representations to the Government of Sri Lanka urging them to set up an independent public inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the killing of Lasantha Wickramatunga, the editor of the Sunday Leader newspaper, with a view to identifying the perpetrators and bringing them to justice.

Lord Malloch-Brown: We welcome the stated commitment of the Sri Lankan Government to investigate the killing of the Sunday Leader's, chief editor on 8 January 2009. The UK has been clear that it is vital for the perpetrators of such reprehensible acts to be brought to justice following a thorough and independent investigation. Officials at our High Commission in Colombo have emphasised this to President Rajapakse.

Syria

Lord Dykes: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will hold discussions with the Government of Syria to secure a cessation of the firing of rockets into Israel.

Lord Malloch-Brown: My right honourable friend the Foreign Secretary has been in regular contact with Syrian Foreign Minister Muallem during the Gaza crisis. In these conversations, he has consistently urged the Syrian Government to use their influence with Hamas put a stop to the firing of rockets into Israel.

Transport: Integrated Transport Authority

Lord Hanningfield: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many local authorities have registered an interest in establishing an Integrated Transport Authority (ITA) under the Local Transport Act 2008; and when they expect the first ITA to be established.

Lord Adonis: The six existing passenger transport authorities—in West Midlands, Greater Manchester, South Yorkshire, Tyne and Wear, Merseyside and West Yorkshire—will become integrated transport authorities (ITAs) on 9 February when the relevant provisions in Part 5 of the Local Transport Act 2008 are commenced.
	The 2008 Act also allows for these ITAs to be restructured, and for the creation of additional ITAs. We are aware that several groups of local authorities are currently reviewing existing transport governance arrangements in their area. Guidance on governance reviews, including an indication of the likely timescale involved, has been published and is available at www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/regional/localtransportbill/guidancegovernance.pdf.

Waste Management

Lord Greaves: To ask Her Majesty's Government where joint waste authorities are planned or have been set up under Part 11 of the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: No joint waste authorities (JWA) have yet been established. The honourable Member for Lewisham, Deptford (Joan Ruddock) wrote to authorities in June 2008 asking them to come forward with expressions of interest in developing a proposal for a JWA in their area. Such expressions of interest do not constitute a commitment to applying for JWA status. Details of responses will be published shortly.

White Phosphorus

Baroness Tonge: To ask Her Majesty's Government what advice they have received from medical professionals in the United Kingdom regarding alleged injuries from white phosphorus.

Lord Darzi of Denham: Neither the department nor the Heath Protection Agency have sought advice from medical professionals in the United Kingdom regarding injuries from white phosphorus.

Wine

Viscount Waverley: To ask Her Majesty's Government why European Union wine producers are not required to declare the chemical content on wine labels.
	To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will discuss with other European Union member states the introduction of a requirement upon European Union wine producers to declare the chemical content on wine labels.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: Community rules governing the labelling of wine marketed in the European Union make no provision for the ingredients or products used in the process of winemaking to be labelled. However, food labelling arrangements under Directive 2000/13/EC require that ingredients derived from specific allergenic foods that are used in the production of wine, such as sulphites, be displayed on the label using a "contains X" statement.
	The European Commission has published a proposal for ingredient listings on alcoholic drinks. However, the Commission also proposes an exemption for wine, beers and spirits pending a report by the Commission. There are currently no clear views from other member states, which have yet to discuss this issue in detail.